The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Archipelago | Fri, August 23 2013, 11:16 AM
All police units in Papua have been warned of a possible unauthorized visit by foreign ships carrying activists campaigning for a free Papua.
"All units in coastal areas must be on the lookout for illegal visits by foreign vessels," Papua Police spokesman Sr. Comr. I Gde Sumerta Jaya said in Jayapura on Friday as quoted by Antara.
The instruction follows reports that around 50 Papuan and Australian activists are due to arrive in Papua in early September on board three sailing vessels, which together are known as the Freedom Flotilla.
"If the activists enter Indonesian waters, they will be asked to show their documents, such as visas and passports," Sumerta said.
Anyone failing to provide the proper documentation would be detained, he added.
He said the police would continue to coordinate with relevant agencies, such as immigration offices.
Meanwhile, Papua Naval Command chief Commodore I.G. Putu Wijamahaadi said the Navy would continue to carry out its routine operations, Antara reported.
"In our routine operations we use three ships, including the KRI Slamet Riyadi and the KRI Sultan Nuku, in Merauke and other areas of our maritime territory," Putu said on Friday.
He said he believed the Freedom Flotilla would stay in international waters, 12 nautical miles off the Indonesian coast.
"However, if the ships enter Indonesian waters, violating the international law of the sea, the Navy will act in accordance with the law," he added.
Indonesia was a vast archipelago with many international seafaring routes, he said, adding that foreign vessels were allowed to sail through the routes, but only if they complied with certain regulations.
"They are not allowed to stop until they have left our waters. Also, they may not conduct any maneuvers or activities while they are in our territorial waters," he said.